Cubic Equations And Their Roots
An Investigation Using GeoGebra Mathematics Software
Jonathan Lau
Collaborative pilot project between STEM Team East, CCITE and The Faculty of
Education, University of Cambridge
Aim:
This project was part of a pilot scheme to examine ways in which the mathematics software
GeoGebra could be introduced into schools in the UK. The project was one of a number by A
level students, in which each student chose a topic or topics of interest to them and then
explored them using the software. Having explored the topic of interest, students needed to
consider how this would be used in schools to demonstrate the use of GeoGebra and so
encourage uptake.
Background:
Before coming up with my project, I recalled some mathematical reading I had done about cubic
equations and their complex roots, and decided that I would try to discover more about them for
myself. I would then try to use Geogebra to find the solution to any cubic equation, given its
coefficients, and plot the real and complex roots on an Argand diagram so that as the user changed
the coefficients, they could see how that affected the roots of the cubic equation.
The potential age group targeted is students in yr 12 at school - Lower 6th students who are
interested and want to learn something outside of their syllabus, and for Upper 6th students for
whom it may be relevant to their studies on complex numbers and the relationships between roots
of equations. The project would appeal to these students as it is expanding on the syllabus content.
Personally I find the proof of the general cubic to be very interesting. However, it is much more
complicated than the proof of the quadratic equation, and involves some knowledge of complex
numbers to fully understand.
I have also constructed a PowerPoint explaining the proof of the cubic equation which I have used.
However, it I requires knowledge of complex numbers to understand. See Appendix 1
I have also created a poster to help explain the basic ideas of my project, aimed at slightly younger
students. With it I intend to introduce the concepts I used like complex numbers, the Argand
diagram and the properties of roots.
Notes:
The first challenge was to understand the maths behind the solution of the cubic equation, which
took some reading about complex numbers and some working out with pencil and paper as some of
the stages were not as clear as I would have liked.
The next challenge was to put the equation through into Geogebra, which took some getting used to
as I was not used to working with more complex software than Microsoft office. However, having
used the algebra, graphics and spreadsheet tabs in Geogebra I have found each feature to be quite
useful, providing a variety of tools that could help students.
After substituting in basic coefficients for a, b and c for which the roots were known, it was pleasing
to see that the roots given to me were correct. However, when the coefficients of a cubic whose
roots are all real, a part of the formula seemed to stop working, as it gave undefined values for the
value of u. The problem was that three real roots led to k2 + 4h3 to be negative, introducing the
square root of a negative number which the software did not seem to be compatible of
manipulating. After a lot of time this problem was overcome with the help of an if – then statement
that gave the absolute value of the expression, and then multiplied by i.
Input boxes have been displayed so that any desired cubic can be solved with its roots displayed on
screen, but sliders have also been implemented so that users can see how the roots change as each
coefficient is varied. Additionally, calculations have been done to show the relationships between
roots, e.g. the sum of the 3 roots is shown to be the same as the negative of the coefficient b.
Furthermore, the cubic equation being solved is displayed alongside the Argand diagram, so users
can see how the coefficients affect the curve itself, as well as the position of the roots.
Worked Examples:
Let a = 4, b = - 10 and c = 12. The algorithm leads to roots of -6, 1 + i and 1 – i. On the right hand side
the calculations are shown between the roots of the cubic to show how they equate to the
coefficients a, b and c. As the diagram shows a circle and triangle can be constructed which go
through all three points on the Argand diagram. When there are complex roots they appear in pairs:
one directly above the other, each with an equal distance from the x axis and each with the same
real number part (e.g. 1 + i and 1 - i).
Now let a = - 2, b = - 1 and c = 2. This leads to three real roots of the equation, where the three
points are shown on the real axis, those being – 1, 1 and 2. This means that a circle and triangle
cannot be constructed through these points, but the relationships between the roots still exist.
Since my initial project objectives were to solve any cubic equation given, and to display these on an
Argand diagram so that as the equation changed, the roots displayed changed too, I would say that
my project has been a success. Throughout my project I have learnt more about complex numbers,
the relationships between roots and using software to aid in mathematics, and have enjoyed this
learning process. I would like to thank in particular Aiden Crilly and Kathryn Peake who have helped
me with the software, and Professor Adrian Oldknow who patiently helped me to come up with an
idea.
Sources:
A concise introduction to Pure Mathematics – Martin Liebeck
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubicEquation.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubic_function